The Katharine Hepburn garden isn’t much, but it’s nice they bothered to plant anything green in the middle of the midtown Manhattan urban jungle. A sign proudly proclaimed that Dag Hammarskjold Plaza contains 6 fountains and 49 benches. Not quite enough to make you feel like you are out in nature, but you’ve got to give credit for trying.

              I finally spotted Spain’s UN Ambassador. He was walking quickly towards his office on the 36^th floor of One Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, taking the sidewalk instead of detouring through the garden where I was. I guess it’s hard for him to find time to smell the roses. “El Senor Gomez,” I called. He glanced in my direction, then shook his head in surprise when he realized who I was.

              “I thought you’d be working on your wormhole machine, whatever you call it. Glad to see you’ve decided to take a break and enjoy looking at some of Earth’s beautiful flowers,” he replied.

              There’s no way to make any sort of device capable of opening a wormhole with Earth’s primitive technology, but no point in trying to explain that to him. “Let me guess, someone said something you disagree with, and that’s why you’re leaving in the middle of the afternoon,” I said.

              “I disagree with most of what goes on in there,” he said, pointing at UN headquarters at the end of the block. “But I’m heading to a meeting about the new independent panel on artificial intelligence. You know I was instrumental in getting that passed.”

              He co-chaired that committee with the ambassador from Costa Rica. “So it’s only Bibi Netanyahu you walk out on? Anyone else you disagree with it’s not such a big deal?”

              He crossed his arms. “I think genocide is something we all have to stand against, don’t you? Or on your planet is genocide not a problem?”

              “So let me get this straight- Israel is the only country you feel compelled to take a stand about? North Korea, with its vast forced labor camps, restrictions on information so harsh citizens are punished for years just for watching a foreign movie, and where citizens are forbidden to emigrate and border guards are instructed to shoot anyone trying to sneak out doesn’t require taking a stand? Iran, which oppresses women, disappears and tortures dissidents, and has executed over 1000 people in just the last nine months doesn’t require taking a stand? What about Russia, which not only invaded Ukraine but now brazenly attacks civilians in Kiev with drones every night? Officials from all those countries spoke at the UN last week without any sort of walkout.”

              A young man with a backpack covered in Bernie Sanders stickers had paused near us, listening to me. “The UN is one big joke,” he said loudly. “Somebody should kick them all out and use the building to house the homeless.”

              “This guy doesn’t want to lose his job,” I told the young man, gesturing towards Gomez.

              He suddenly looked embarrassed. “Do you. . .” he began.

              “He’s the ambassador from Spain,” I said.

              “Hola. Mucho amigo,” the man said. Hector Gomez laughed and the guy started to walk away.

              “So why only Bibi?” I asked Gomez again, anxious to hear his answer to that.

              He swallowed. “Look, you can’t justify a crime by saying there are also other criminals out there the same or worse. Right now the situation in Gaza is our main focus.”

              “It’s your main focus?” I asked.

              “My government is working with other countries across the European Union to bring an end to genocide and implement a peaceful two-state solution.”

              “Is that so?” I asked again.

              Gomez gave me a quizzical look. “Of course. The European Union is considering many measures to pressure Israel, and I personally have made many statements. . . ”

              I cut him off. “So when Bibi was at the UN, why did you walk out of the room?”

              He frowned. “To show that his government’s conduct. . . ”

              “With Bibi at the UN it would have been a great chance for negotiations,” I interrupted.

              “By walking out I wanted to make a statement. . .” he began.

              “Help me understand. Is the entire purpose of your United Nations to provide a place for people to make statements?” I asked. “Or is it supposed to be about dialogue intended to maintain peace and security?”

              “Dialogue for peace and security,” Gomez dutifully replied.

              “So why didn’t you stay in the room and listen carefully to Bibi? That would have helped you better understand his positions so you can help come up with an agreement to end the war that is acceptable to both sides. How can you do that if you walk out?”

              Gomez clicked his tongue. “Everyone knows already that Bibi is against a Palestinian state.”

              “You just told me a moment ago you are working to bring about a two-state solution. Why are you doing that if it’s hopeless?”

              Bob Rae, the Ambassador from Canada, had noticed our conversation and stopped by. “Nothing is ever hopeless,” he interjected.

              “We have to bring pressure on the Israeli government,” Gomez began.

              “You do good work,” I told Rae.

              “Thanks,” he said with a smile. Then he turned to Gomez. “I just want to let you know I support you on AI. Now I have to run to a meeting.”

              “And I have to get to my meeting as well,” Gomez said to me as Rae started off.

              “Peace will only come when people talk and begin to understand one another,” I said to Gomez. “What kind of example do you think it set when you walked out of the room? Especially with all the hate that’s accompanied the Gaza war. When people see even diplomats disrespecting one another and refusing to listen to each other’s speeches, why should they make an effort to have honest dialogue and try to understand the other side?”

              Gomez sighed. “Sometimes you have to take a stand,” he replied, turning to walk back to the sidewalk, out of the garden.

              “Fine, but if your stand is against listening how will there ever be progress?”

              “Let’s hope there’s a new peace deal soon,” Gomez called over his shoulder as he walked away.

              “I hope so too,” I said, even though he was probably too far away to hear. I thought about heading over to the United Nations, but for what? After the high level event last week, right now over there it’s mostly down time. But I’d already spent enough time in the Katharine Hepburn Garden- it isn’t much of a sight.

              I figured as long as I was in New York I’d go visit the Earth and Space Center at the American Museum of Natural History. I’m curious about the other planets orbiting Earth’s star, and I can find out a little more about the propulsion technology humans have so far invented. I’m not expecting much, but maybe there’s something I can adapt and do something with. I don’t expect to be able to travel all the way home, but I’d love to get out into nearby space at least a little bit.